212 Miscellaneous TnfcUigence. 



barytic salt was 306.3 ; by adding only J- ])cr cent, to the quantity 

 of baryta obtained in the experiment, 297.5, or the number cxt 

 pressed by the above, formula, would be obtained. 



When a salt of potash or baryta was decomposed by oxide of 

 copper and heat, the quantity of carbonic acid produced was a little 

 short of five times the quantity of nitrogen ; but, upon adding- that 

 retained by the alkali or earth,, tbeprpportioa became exactly the 

 same as in the former cases. ... 



Welter's hiiter principle was prepared by acting; on silk with ten 

 or twelve times its weight of nitric acid. The liquid, slightly co- 

 loured at first, acquired a deep yellow upon adding water. It was 

 neutralized by carbonate of potash whilst hot, and left to cool, and 

 the salt of potash thus obtained, decomposed by muriatic, nitric, or 

 sulphuric acid. This acid, crystallized like that from indigo, formed 

 the same salts, and was composed in the same manner. Silk fur- 

 nishes much less of the substance than indigo. Dr. Liebeg has 

 called this substance carhazotic acid. The most important salts 

 formed by it have the following properties : — 



Carhazotate of Potash — crystallizes in long yellow quadrilateral 

 needles, semi-transparent and very brilliant ; it dissolves in 260 

 parts of water at 59° F., and in much less, boiling water : a satu- 

 turated boiling solution becomes a yellow mass of needles, from 

 which scarcely any fluid will run. Strong acids decompose it ; yet 

 when an alcoholic solution of carbazotic acid is added to a solution 

 of nitre, crystalHzed carbazotate of potash, after some time, preci- 

 pitates. — Alcohol does not dissolve it. When a little is gradually 

 heated in a glass tube, it first fuses, and then suddenly explodes, 

 breaking the tube to atoms ; traces of charcoal are observed on the 

 fragments. This salt precipitates a solution of the protonitrate of 

 mercury, but not salts, containing the peroxide, or those of copper, 

 lead, cobalt, iron, lime, baryta, strontia, or magnesia. The slight 

 solubility of this salt supplies an easy method of testing and sepa- 

 rating potash in a fluid. Even the potash in tincture of litmus may 

 be discovered by it ; for, on adding a few drops of carbazotic acid, 

 dissolved in alcohol, to infusion of litmus, crystals of the salt gra- 

 dually separated. The saturated solution of the salt at 50° F., is 

 not troubled by muriate of jjlatina. The salt contains no water of 

 crystallization. It was analyzed by converting a portion of it into 

 chloride of potassium by muriatic acid: its composition is, — 



Carbazotic acid ....... 83.79 



Potash . 16.21 



100.00 



Carhazotate of Soda — crystallizes in fine silky yellow needles, 

 having the general properties of the salt of potash, but soluble in 

 from 20 to 24 parts of water, at 59° F. 



Carbazotate of Ammonia forms very long, flattened, brilliant, 



